Youth of The Year
Presenting our 2023 Youth of the Year: Patrick!
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Patrick: Youth of the year 2023
BGCO is honored to introduce Patrick, our Youth of the Year for 2023. Having enrolled as a second grader, he has stayed the course and is now a 10-year student-member actively engaged and participating in youth development programs at our Leonard J. Meltzer Branch in West Oakland. Patrick is a senior at McClymonds High School where he carries a 3.1 GPA; is on the honor roll; will graduate this coming May, 2023; and plans to matriculate to Oregon State University.
Personifying Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission, Patrick represented his Club and community at the Northern California level of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition. While striving to become Youth of the Year, Patrick shared the following: “As I get closer to graduating, I know it’s important to acknowledge the adversity and experiences that have molded me in order to be even better next year as I start college.” “It’s taken me a long time to learn how to be committed to one thing at a time, stay focused, and stay on the path to fulfilling my goals.”
“I was growing up at the Club every day after school; that gave me the confidence to strive to improve and make better decisions at school and among my friend group.” “I was allowed to make mistakes, learn and grow from them.” The highest honor that a Boys & Girls Club bestows on a student-member is the Youth of the Year designation which recognizes recipients for their exemplary contributions (to family, school, community, and Boys & Girls Club); and for their academic excellence. Patrick, mirroring BGCO’s mission, will no doubt continue as a positive contributor to society. To that end, by earning Youth of the Year honors for his Club organization, he also earned a scholarship—$5,000 per year for 4 years to help defray the expenses of his journey’s next chapter—making his college dream a reality.
Latayza: Youth of the Year 2022
BGCO is honored to introduce Latayza, our Youth or the Year for 2022. Latayza has been a member of The Club for 10 years, having joined in 2012 at the age of 5, and is now preparing to enter her senior year of High School. Having grown up in West Oakland, Latayza recalls her neighborhood as one “that can be mentally and physically draining” but upon joining the club and seeing “kids being kids, it felt better to know that there was more to life. Regardless of what was going on outside, we were inside having the time of our lives. I always felt heard and noticed at this Club; the fact that I knew I was heard gave me the confidence to have an opinion.”
That boost in confidence has given Latayza awareness in the importance of representation, community service, and giving back, something she aims to do by continuing to volunteer at The Club. “If I can teach a young girl that her skin is beautiful, and how to deal with the negative comments and have confidence regardless of her skin complexion I’d be happy. I think it’s important to give back. I know that I can have a positive impact on younger girls that look like me.”
Tyree Tillis: Youth of the year 2021
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is honored to introduce Tyree as our Youth of the Year for 2021. Tyree joined The Club in 2010 at age 7 and now, as his high school graduation draws near this June, 2021, he reminisces “My 11-year membership at BGCO has given me a significant educational advantage. I always had access to tutors and academic support. The Club staff provided me with much-needed support and, most importantly, I had a safe place to grow up in West Oakland.”
“I know the lifelong leadership and social skills I developed through the Club are skills I’ll use for a lifetime.”
Personifying BGCO’s mission results, Tyree has the vision and the drive to start his own clothing line - The Elephant in The Room (TENTR), a brand that promotes being comfortable with uncomfortable topics. That drive also has him poised to “graduate from high school, attend colege and study business, then return to his community and volunteer.”
Bre D. King: Youth of the Year 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is honored to introduce our 2020 Youth of the Year—Bre, an 11-year student-member who epitomizes the intended results of our mission—to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Currently carrying a 3.39 GPA, Bre will graduate from high school this June, 2020 with aspirations of matriculating to Puget Sound University, and ultimately to become a lawyer.
Bre is versatile, venturesome, and quite the accomplished musician. She plays both the bass and the saxophone, and is quite the jazz aficionado. She is a student who enjoys teaching others about jazz and classical music and, to that end she serves as a volunteer tutor at Jazz Camp.
Looking back over her years of engagement in BGCO’s 3 dozen youth development programs, Bre fondly recalls that “I have been a Club member since the age of seven.” “The staff at Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland are the type of people who genuinely understand and get kids and teens.” “There was always someone that I could relate to, or go to for help or advice.” “My attitude toward learning and school changed.”
Yasamine S. Brown: Youth of the Year 2019
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is excited to introduce our 2019 Youth of the Year, Yasamine. Yasamine has earned the prestigious award for an unprecedented two consecutive years. She first joined the Club as a freshman in high school. Since then, she’s been a consistent presence at the Club tutoring, mentoring and leading her fellow peers by example.
Yasamine practiced those same leadership skills as Class President at her High School. She volunteered to tutor freshman students and is a strong advocate for substance free and healthy living. Now a high school graduate, Yasamine maintained a 3.05 GPA and was excited to graduate with her class in spring, 2019. She is now a freshman at San Jose State University where she is pursuing a Political Science degree. She aspires to a career as a lawyer.
Just as in school, Yasamine has achieved incredible things within her community. She displays incredible passion toward issues affecting her fellow Oakland youth, and for homelessness in the Bay Area. As a member of the “Homes for the Homeless Club” she has dedicated numerous hours to raising funds for those who are displaced. Additionally, she takes every opportunity she can to volunteer at food banks and shelters helping to serve food to those in need.
Yasamine S. Brown: Youth of the Year 2018
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland is excited to introduce our 2018 Youth of the Year, Yasamine who joined our Anna Marie Whalen Clubhouse, located in Central East Oakland, two years ago as she searched for a safe and positive place to spend her afterschool hours.
Yasamine is currently a high school junior maintaining a GPA of 3.18. She has received multiple academic awards and has completed several Advanced Placement courses. She aspires to attend a major university and aims to become a Psychologist or Lawyer. Her teachers and counselors describe her as a positive role-model, self-motivated, resilient, and gritty individual.
Just as she does in school, Yasamine displays those same characteristics in the community—leading by example as a regular volunteer at multiple organizations addressing a variety of issues. Yasamine is particularly passionate about addressing the issue of homelessness and has dedicated countless hours to ensuring that the dislocated have access to food. Similarly, she has volunteered tirelessly to beautify Oakland neighborhoods and is a constant presence and positive role-model at summer youth programs.
Angela M. Drake: Youth of the Year 2017
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland is excited to present our 2017 Youth of the Year, Angela M. Drake. As Youth of the Year, Angela serves as a positive role model and an inspiration for all of Oakland’s youth, including our 2,300 student-members.
Angela first discovered the Club when she was 8 years old, a second grader at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in East Oakland. Her working single mother was introduced to our Ossian E. Carr Clubhouse as she searched for a safe, affordable and flexible place where her children could learn and grow. Now 15 years old, Angela has been a constant presence at the Club for over 7 years, always offering a helping hand and leading by example.
Similarly, Angela’s good character and citizenship is on full display within the broader community. Recently, Angela spent a month in Bakersfield, CA volunteering for a voter engagement and registration group. She is an advocate for fair housing in Oakland, and passionately participates in peaceful public demonstrations addressing important issues such as Women’s equality.
Jaelyn A. Murry: Youth of the Year 2016
It is with great pleasure and excitement that Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland introduces Ms. Jaelyn A. Murry as our organization’s 2016 Youth of the Year. As such, Jaelyn serves as a positive role model and an inspiration for all of Oakland’s youth, including BGCO’s 2,500 student-members.
Jaelyn was first introduced to BGCO’s mission when she enrolled in programs at our Leonard J. Meltzer Clubhouse, starting at age nine following her family’s move from Los Angeles to Oakland after having lost their home to foreclosure in 2008. Jaelyn, recalling her move to a tough, gritty, inner-city Oakland neighborhood, says that her move to Oakland was “a complete culture shock” and that “it was extremely difficult.” However, she did not let her circumstances stunt her personal growth and development.
Academically, Jaelyn recorded her highest GPA, a 3.46, during her Junior year at the Oakland School for the Arts. With hard work and dedication she has improved her GPA annually throughout high school. Now a senior, Jaelyn aspires to attend USC, Howard University, or CSU-East Bay to pursue a degree in Journalism and Film.
Mahlik A. Smith: Youth of the Year 2015
It is with great pleasure, that Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland introduces Mr. Mahlik A. Smith as the 2015 Youth of the Year. As such, Mahlik serves as a positive role model and an inspiration for all of Oakland’s youth, including our 2,500 student-members.
Having first set foot in our Leonard J. Meltzer Clubhouse in West Oakland at the age of five, Mahlik has been a consistent presence at our Club for over 11 years. At the Club, Mahlik has taken on many leadership roles. Whether tutoring younger members, participating in Keystone Club volunteer projects, or coaching younger athletes in the sports of baseball and basketball. Mahlik always finds a way to lead his peers.
In his community, Mahlik is an active member of the Youth Outreach Program at his church. He serves on the City of Oakland’s Youth Commission Advisory Board, speaking up for and giving voice to Oakland’s youth. In 2014, through his many hours of community service benefitting the City of Oakland, he earned the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Community Service Award. As a senior at McClymonds High, Mahlik is looking forward to graduating this June having maintained a GPA above 3.5 throughout high school. He aspires to attend Hampton University as a pre-medical student.
Erin McGhee: Youth of the Year 2014
BGCO is proud to present Ms.Erin McGhee who has earned honors as our outstandingYouth of the Year.
As such, Erinliterally puts a face on our 2,500 student-member enrollment which spans 3 flatland Oakland neighborhoods.
Erin, a 6-year member of our Ossian E. Carr Branch and a 16 year-old high school Junior, is on a trajectory that has her graduating on time in June, 2015. Her goals include business ownership or to become an executive with a nonprofit. To that end, Erin plans to earn her undergraduate degree from California State University - San Diego.
Erin is the eldest of four siblings and will be the first in her family to attend college, and certainly the first to graduate. Coming of age in a single parent inner-city household; with a mom who has her own substantial issues to overcome, Erinstrives to make her mom proud. We are sure that she is, and rightfully so. We are glad that mom heeded the advice of a community reference who suggested she enroll Erin in BGCO’s Ossian E. Carr Branch.
Azeb Berhane: Youth of the Year 2013
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland is proud to introduce Azeb Berhane as our outstanding Youth of the Year for 2013, our Diamond Jubilee 75th Charter Anniversary. The youngest of five siblings born to African immigrants, Azeb joined BGCO’s Anna Marie Whalen Branch the second week after it opened in September, 2004. “Joining the Club was the best decision of my life” says Azeb. “If the Club didn’t exist, I can’t imagine what I would be doing and the kind of trouble I would have gotten myself in.”
“The Club has been like my second home and, from time to time, it could be my first.” “The Staff and members are like family to me and I feel like they truly care about me and how I do in life.”
The Youth of the Year program celebrates 14 to 18 year-old student-members’ outstanding contributions to their family, school, community, and their Boys & Girls Club; recognizing their academic excellence, moral character, life goals, poise and public speaking, as well as personal challenges and obstacles they’ve overcome. Historically, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s five regional winners have been honored at a Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill and have a chance to meet the President of the United States in the White House each fall.